Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Iceland July 2007  (Read 6686 times)

Ed Shrider

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6
    • http://
Iceland July 2007
« on: February 25, 2007, 10:04:16 am »

This is for anyone interested in joining a self guided photography expedition to Iceland this July. I am scheduled to leave USA July 10th for ten days of Iceland travel and photography at which point I meet up with a guided tour in Reykjavik and travel to southeast Greenland for a sea kayak tour along the coast and fjiords. If you are interested in touring Iceland and are willing to camp along the way, sharing driving and 4 WD expenses please let me know. Myself and no more than two others would, I believe, be the maximum number allowing for gear and such.
Logged

michael

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5084
Iceland July 2007
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2007, 11:35:31 am »

Be aware that the 4WD vehicles for rent in Iceland are small; things like the Toyota RAV 4 and Suzuki Samuri. These are fine for two people and their gear, but definately won't hold three or four.

Michael
Logged

Ed Shrider

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6
    • http://
Iceland July 2007
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2007, 12:08:08 pm »

Thanks Michael. Will definitely keep that in mind and take your advise. Thanks for the Iceland reports in the past.
Logged

Eric Myrvaagnes

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 22814
  • http://myrvaagnes.com
    • http://myrvaagnes.com
Iceland July 2007
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2007, 07:58:58 pm »

Quote
This is for anyone interested in joining a self guided photography expedition to Iceland this July. I am scheduled to leave USA July 10th for ten days of Iceland travel and photography at which point I meet up with a guided tour in Reykjavik and travel to southeast Greenland for a sea kayak tour along the coast and fjiords. If you are interested in touring Iceland and are willing to camp along the way, sharing driving and 4 WD expenses please let me know. Myself and no more than two others would, I believe, be the maximum number allowing for gear and such.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=102971\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Hi Ed,

I could be interested in joining you for the Iceland part of your expedition. I've been there once, in 1974, and it was gorgeous (still is, I expect.) I'll PM you with my contact info. I can suggest some "don't miss" photo locations, too.

Eric
Logged
-Eric Myrvaagnes (visit my website: http://myrvaagnes.com)

davidh4976

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 37
Iceland July 2007
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2007, 04:22:38 pm »

A couple of thoughts about vehicles in Iceland (if you haven't been there before)...

Make sure you get high-clearance vehicles.  A low 4WD vehicle like a Subaru Outback might not cut it for the river fords you will need to cross in the island's interior.  Go for a truck or SUV built on a truck chassis.  How high of clearance? It depends on how high the rivers are!     When I was there, cars were not able to make it across many of the fords, but trucks and truck-based SUVs did fine.

You might want to look in to renting a 4WD truck with an slide-in (in-bed) camper.  I saw a good number of people who had rentals like that.  It would make for more comfortable camping.  Sorry that I don't know the names/numbers of rental places for these.

David
Logged

Ed Shrider

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6
    • http://
Iceland July 2007
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2007, 06:54:34 pm »

Quote
A couple of thoughts about vehicles in Iceland (if you haven't been there before)...

Make sure you get high-clearance vehicles.  A low 4WD vehicle like a Subaru Outback might not cut it for the river fords you will need to cross in the island's interior.  Go for a truck or SUV built on a truck chassis.  How high of clearance? It depends on how high the rivers are!     When I was there, cars were not able to make it across many of the fords, but trucks and truck-based SUVs did fine.

You might want to look in to renting a 4WD truck with an slide-in (in-bed) camper.  I saw a good number of people who had rentals like that.  It would make for more comfortable camping.  Sorry that I don't know the names/numbers of rental places for these.

David
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=104059\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

*****************************

David,

Thanks for the tip. I will certainly it your suggestions in mind.

Bests

Ed
Logged

joi

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8
Iceland July 2007
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2007, 06:30:58 am »

Hello Ed.

My name is Johann and I live in Reykjavik.  If you need any info about anything before your travel be in touch and I try to answer your questions.  I think your car question has been covered.  

Regards,
Johann
http://gudbjargarson.net
Logged

Ed Shrider

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6
    • http://
Iceland July 2007
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2007, 07:28:13 am »

Thanks Johann. In my travels I like uncovering hidden gems such as (here in the US) state parks, nature preserves, villages and small towns that get bypassed and relatively unnoticed. I also like to anchor my visits in one spot for some days and explore an area before moving on. Given my limited time in Iceland the challenge is to identify key areas ahead of time so that I can be as productive (photographically speaking) as possible. I really do not want to be driving all the time. Any advice you could give me in this regard would be appreciated.
Logged

joi

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8
Iceland July 2007
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2007, 07:49:21 am »

Hello Ed.

Sorry for my late response - I have been very busy lately and haven't had time to respond before.

Here are few places I would recommend you to explore but this is just tip of the iceberg, and lot's more to explore (see the map I have attached to see the places I talk about) - I link to a pictures I have taken on the locations so you have better idea of the places:



Reykjavik and the area around:  The capital - lots of interesting things to photograph.
Seltun, close to the airport:  http://js.smugmug.com/gallery/2036281/1/104540210/Medium
Thingvallavatn:  http://js.smugmug.com/gallery/1750130/1/86638090/Medium

Golden circle:  Most popular sightseeing tour in Iceland - Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss.

Landmannalaugar:  I probably have seen some of Michael's pictures from this place - I think this is his favorite place in Iceland.  Picture by Daniel Bergmann:  http://www.danielbergmann.com/iceland/images/landmannal.jpg

Vestmannaeyjar:  The islands south of Iceland - it is possible to take plane or ship to go to there for a few days.  The volcano on the islands erupted about 25 years ago sinking some houses in ash.  It is a beautifull place.

South part of Iceland
:  Driving from Reykjavik to Skaftafell has a lot of pretty places like Skogarfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Landmannalaugar, Lakagigar, Myrdalssandur, Dyrholaey.  Here are some pictures from a drive to Skaftafell a few years ago:  http://js.smugmug.com/gallery/173126
Other drive:  http://js.smugmug.com/gallery/1906714
.. and a third trip:  http://js.smugmug.com/gallery/1906724

Skaftafell:  National park - recommended.

Glacier lagoon:  Scene for start of one James Bond movie is a popular destination (east from Skaftafell).  Some pictures in a gallery linked with South park of Iceland above.  Here is one picture:  http://js.smugmug.com/photos/6539738-L.jpg

Ingolfshofdi:  Close to Skaftafell is recommended.  Go with tractor to the island is like driving on the sea - recommended.  
http://js.smugmug.com/photos/6539616-M.jpg
http://js.smugmug.com/photos/6539638-M.jpg

Myvatn:  Beautifull lake with lots of interesting geological places around.

Dettifoss:  The most powerfull waterfall in Europe.

Akureyri:  The capital of north Iceland is a nice friendly town.

Snaefellsnes:  The nose of the country (Stykkisholmur and to the west) is a beautifull place with lot's of interesting things like Budir, Arnarstapi, Snaefellsjokull etc.
http://js.smugmug.com/photos/49270921-M.jpg

Latrarbjarg:  *Large* cliff with lot's of birds.

Westfjords (the north-west part of Iceland - Latrabjarg, Isafjordur etc.):  Remote but probably not as special landscape as some other places in Iceland.  It is remote with a few towns with a landscape similar to norway (fjords).  It is a beautifull place with one of the most spectacular hiking destination in Iceland (Hornstrandir, close to Drangajokull).

These are just a few places that pop into my mind - if you would ask someone else here in Iceland he would probably recommend some other places :-)

What might be a good idea for you is to search for these places on the net and read about them to get an idea what these places are about.  If you have a jeep the highlands in the center of Iceland might also be a good destination which probably hasn't many tourists.

You ask about places to stay on your trip to go for a day trips from.  Here are few recommendations:

Snaefellsnes, Budir or some other place there.
Myvatn.
Skaftafell - just tents there but there are a few places close to the park to stay.

These are some key locations but you will probably have to stay at other locations also but I don't know exactly what to recommend.

Let me know if you want more information and sorry again for late reply.

Regards,
Johann
http://gudbjargarson.net


Quote
Thanks Johann. In my travels I like uncovering hidden gems such as (here in the US) state parks, nature preserves, villages and small towns that get bypassed and relatively unnoticed. I also like to anchor my visits in one spot for some days and explore an area before moving on. Given my limited time in Iceland the challenge is to identify key areas ahead of time so that I can be as productive (photographically speaking) as possible. I really do not want to be driving all the time. Any advice you could give me in this regard would be appreciated.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=108237\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Logged

Ed Shrider

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6
    • http://
Iceland July 2007
« Reply #9 on: April 08, 2007, 01:20:55 pm »

Thanks so much Johann for the detailed information. I will investigate your recommendations further and keep in contact.

Bests

Ed
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up